LOUDON, N.H. – Jeff Gordon came into the media center after winning the pole in New Hampshire and found that the moderator was not yet at his post.

No problem: Gordon began interviewing himself.

The four-time NASCAR champion was in a familiar position at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday after qualifying for his 72nd career pole position. Gordon will be joined in the front row by Kyle Busch, With Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers behind them.

“I think we surprised ourselves a little bit with this pole,” said Gordon, whose last championship was in 2001 – before the current Sprint Cup format. “This is something we didn’t expect.”

Gordon, who heads into the race Sunday ranked 12th in the Sprint Cup standings, ran a lap at 134.911 mph in qualifying Friday. Busch was second, at 134.753 mph, and defending series champion Tony Stewart was third.

TRUCKS: In Sparta, Ky., James Buescher completed a season sweep at Kentucky Speedway, using strong restarts to stay in contention before he broke free to win the wreck-filled race.

It was the fourth career series victory for Buescher, who also won at the track June 28. Parker Kligerman was second, followed by, rookie Ty Dillon, pole-sitter Joey Coulter and Brian Scott.

The race featured seven cautions, including five in the first half totaling 34 laps. Only 14 of 36 trucks finished on the lead lap.

NHRA: In Ennis, Texas, Courtney Force raced to the Funny Car qualifying lead in the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. The 24-year-old rookie driver had a run of 4.081 seconds at 308.21 mph in her Ford Mustang.

Tony Schumacher led in Top Fuel, Allen Johnson topped the Pro Stock field, and Hector Arana Sr. had the Pro Stock Motorcycle lead.

INDYCAR: City officials in Edmonton, Alberta, said promoter Octane Motorsports told them it won’t stage the Edmonton IndyCar race next year. The said also said it won’t search for a replacement promoter.